Series 1. Jesus' Early and Galilean Ministries (part 1; Luke 3:1-6:49)

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James Tissot, 'The Lord's Prayer'You'll start at the very beginning of Jesus' ministry -- with John the Baptist's revival along the Jordan River and his call for repentance. We'll study Jesus' temptation and his stated mission based on Isaiah 61:1-2  to "preach good new to the poor," provide freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and release for the oppressed.

Then we explore his early ministry of healing, casting out demons, and then calling his disciples. As Jesus starts to heal on the Sabbath, he attract increasing opposition from the Pharisees -- and eventually the religious leaders from Jerusalem who travel to Galilee. This section concludes with Luke's "Sermon on the Plain" -- blessings and woes, loving your enemies, and forgiving again and again. We see Parables of the Wise and Foolish Builders, New Wine in Old Wineskins, etc. Jesus' lessons for his disciples begin here.


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Dr. Ralph F. WilsonNote that the purpose of this study is to train you as a disciple, not to "cover lots of material rapidly." To change your heart takes time. It is a process. You can't rush it, even if you try. This material is deep and takes time to absorb and respond to. Nevertheless, you have a choice of frequency. -- Pastor Ralph

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20 Lessons

Jesus and John: Early Ministry (Luke 3:1-4:13)

  1. A Voice Calling "Prepare" (3:1-6). Audio (16:26)
  2. Produce the Fruit of Repentance (3:7-14). Audio (15:37)
  3. Baptized with the Holy Spirit and Fire (3:15-18). Audio (17:01)
    Essay: Spirit Baptism, the New Birth, and Speaking in Tongues. Audio ()
  4. Baptism of Jesus and Anointing with the Holy Spirit (3:18-23a). Audio (19:01)
    Genealogy (3:23b-38, not included)
  5. Jesus' Temptation (4:1-13). Audio (27:26)

Jesus' Galilean Ministry (part 1) (4:14-6:49)

    Discipleship Training in Luke's Gospel, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
    Lessons compiled in 805-page book in paperback, Kindle, & PDF.
  1. Jesus' Commission (4:14-20a). Audio (31:41)
  2. Rejection at Nazareth (4:20b-30). Audio (13:20)
  3. Confronting Demons at Capernaum (4:31-37, 41). Audio (14:41)
    Essay: Demonization and Deliverance in Jesus' Ministry. Audio (19:09)
  4. Healing the Sick at Capernaum (4:38-44). Audio (19:49)
    Essay: Introduction to Textual Criticism. Audio (12:56)
  5. The Call of Peter, James, and John (5:1-11). Audio (20:40)
    Short Story: Catch and Release (based on Luke 1:5-11). Audio (7:51). Tells the story of the call of Peter and Andrew with the miraculous catch of fish, and the promise that in the future they will be fishers of men, literally, "take men alive," from the unique Greek verb used: zōgreō.
  6. The Will to Make Lepers Whole (5:12-16). Audio (17:55)
  7. Healing the Paralyzed Man (5:17-26). Audio (19:12)
    Essay: Religious Leaders in Jesus' Day. Audio (4:35)
    Essay: Son of Man. Audio (4:15)
  8. Calling Levi the Tax Collector (5:27-32). Audio (21:02)
  9. New Wine in Old Wineskins (5:33-39). Audio (19:37)
  10. Lord of the Sabbath (6:1-11). Audio (18:08)
  11. Selection of the Twelve Apostles (6:12-19). Audio (25:01)
  12. Blessings and Woes (6:20-26). Audio (30:33)
  13. Love Your Enemies (6:27-36). Audio (28:24)
  14. Forgiveness over Judgment (6:37-42). Audio (25:34)
  15. Good Tree, Good Fruit, Good Foundation (Luke 6:43-49). Audio (14:30)

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.